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Melissa Aprile is a drafting paralegal based in Wiggin and Dana’s Westport office with multiple years of experience in estate planning. She works closely with attorneys and clients to prepare core estate planning documents, ensuring that each instrument is thoughtfully drafted and tailored to the client’s unique objectives.

Before joining Wiggin and Dana, Melissa served as a Lead Estate Planning Paralegal, managing all aspects of the estate planning process, supervising and training team members, and overseeing high-volume drafting workflows for wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and complex irrevocable trust structures. Her experience also includes direct client interaction, guiding individuals and families through their estate plans and helping them understand the practical implications of their documents.

Melissa’s deep familiarity with the drafting process, combined with her strong organizational skills and attention to detail, makes her a trusted resource for both clients and colleagues navigating the complexities of wealth transfer and legacy planning.

After a decedent’s death, fiduciaries face income tax decisions that directly affect how quickly assets become available, when tax payments come due, and what returns must be filed. Often, the most meaningful opportunities for tax savings, and the most common missteps, arise not during the planning phase, but during the administration itself. This article focuses